Here is another fine and helpful product from Geomatters: timeline figures ready to print out, along with suggestions for use, and timeline pages, both blank and filled-out, to present an example. The figures are colorful and eye-catching, informative and easy to use. Varied borders indicate the historical era represented (Early Civilizations, Classical, Early Middle Ages, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment to Present Day). You can also print the figures without borders to avoid a blocky look, or to fit into a layout, or to make placing the figures more of a challenge (though the dates on the figures are very helpful). Customizable blank figures are also included; you could use them, for example, when including your own family members' birthdates on your timeline.

If you're already familiar with the timeline figures in Geomatters' The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide, you'll recognize these. However, this is the "new and improved version," with color-coding that this organizationally-challenged mom has found to be very helpful.

Symbols give a quick reference to what area of endeavor is involved (the arts, wars, inventions, sciences, people, exploration, rulers, landmarks, governments, and religions).

Instructions are clearly written and encouraging, with four different styles of timelines described. If you haven't used a timeline before, you'll find this CD-Rom has everything you need to get started, along with an explanation of the value in creating and maintaining some sort of timeline in your studies. I can testify that it is a wonderful tool for keeping things in context whether studying things chronologically or following your interests.

An added bonus is the included "Who am I?" game, instructions, answer sheets, and a stack of cards with questions that describe an historical figure, place or event. For example, the clues: "I cut off 4,000 miles of the journey between Europe and Asia," "Because of me there were more and more European colonies in Africa," "I was built by the French, but by 1875 the British owned me," and "I was opened in 1869" all describe... what? (Answer: The Suez Canal).

The customer service at Geomatters is exemplary. I had trouble accessing the "Who Am I?" game cards from the CD "bookmark menu," but a call to Geomatters helped me to resolve the issue. (You have to click on that file from the file directory, rather than from within one of the other PDF files.)

Instructions are also included for a game called "Before or After?" which tests the student's ability to put timeline figures in context. A chronological listing of dates and an alphabetical index help you to locate a figure quickly. All figures, as well as the instructions and games, are in PDF format.

The CD-Rom is set up for easy use. If you open any of the PDF files, bookmarks will appear on the left side of the screen that will take you to any of the files listed (except the "Who am I?" game, as noted above).

Historical Timeline Figures on CD-Rom is a tool that we'll be using in our homeschool for years to come.